DONETSK, 17 June (BelTA) – Rumors about a possible cholera outbreak are spread by Ukrainian media resources, head of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin told the media in Donetsk, BelTA has learned.
"About 475,000 people lived in Mariupol. At the moment, the exact number is difficult to determine. There are estimates but they are very approximate. We think that about 200,000 people remain in Mariupol. More than 60% of the city (houses and infrastructure facilities) are either damaged or completely destroyed. We have set the priorities in terms of rebuilding the city," Denis Pushilin said.
According to him, the first to be rebuilt will be social facilities: schools, kindergartens, hospitals. "Then is the residential sector, but it is important to conduct a correct assessment what can be rebuilt or what needs to be built anew. Some destructions are easy to mend. I am talking about glazing, replacing roofs and so on. Some destructions require expert assessment to understand: to rebuild a house or to demolish and build anew. People who have lost their homes will be given temporary accommodation in modular structures," the head of the DPR shared his plans for rebuilding Mariupol.
He commented on the talks about a possible cholera outbreak in Mariupol. "These rumors are fueled by Ukrainian media resources. In fact, the situation is under control. The corpses have been buried. There still remain the bodies of the dead under the rubble but their number is not so large as to talk about some kind of outbreak. Especially cholera outbreak. We have a sufficient number of forensic experts, prosecutors and auxiliary services. Bodies are reburied in specially designated places," Denis Pushilin noted.
